A recent study by UC Berkeley Public Health that indicates levels of toxic chemicals in tampons could have implications for Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB), Edgewell (NYSE:EPC), and Proctor & Gamble (NYSE:PG) as the major manufacturers of feminine hygiene products.
Although varied by where the tampons were manufactured (US vs the EU and UK) and whether they were organic or non-organic, the Berkeley study found lead, arsenic, and cadmium in all types of tampons.
Co-authors of the study, Kathrin Schilling and Jenni A. Shearston, suggest the metals could make their way into the tampons either by leaching into the cotton material through the water, soil, or air, from a nearby contaminate that is near a cotton field, or intentionally added in the manufacturing process as a whitener or antibacterial agent.
While the researchers are not yet sure of the health implications from toxic metals in tampons, or how much is leaching out into a woman’s body, these metals have been found to damage the liver, kidneys, brain, cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems and can increase the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes, and cancer.
“Although toxic metals are ubiquitous, and we are exposed to low levels at any given time, our study clearly shows that metals are also present in menstrual products, and that women might be at higher risk for exposure using these products,” the study authors said.
With research still at an early stage, the study had had little impact on trading in Kimberly-Clark Corp (KMB), Edgewell (EPC), and Proctor & Gamble (PG). But the dissemination of information through social media could lead to longer-term pressure on sales, especially after the toxic shock scare in the 1980s.
This leaves Procter & Gamble (PG), which currently controls 60% of the $5.9B tampon market with Tampax and L brands, as the most vulnerable to any fallout from the study. Fortunately, P&G does maintain insulation from any significant losses due to its sizable stable of popular brands like Tide detergent and Pampers diapers.
Edgewell (EPC) is also vulnerable as the maker of Playtex and o.b., although these brands only account for roughly 30% of the total tampon market.
